Question: What does it mean to endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”?
Answer: The Holy Spirit personally came down from heaven at Pentecost (Acts 2:1) and indwells each believer individually (1 Cor. 6:19; Eph. 1:13-14). The saints indwelt by the Spirit form God’s habitation on earth where He dwells collectively in the whole assembly (Eph. 2:22).
The Holy Spirit unites each member to the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17), unites each to all other members (1 Cor. 12:13), and all members to Christ the Head. This is the church (assembly) of God, the body of Christ.
This unity remains unsullied by all failures of the assembly. It can’t be destroyed, because it is the Holy Spirit Himself who is the unity of the body of Christ.
The assembly—responsible to maintain the unity of the Spirit in practical, visible oneness—has failed. However, the unity has not. It remains because the Spirit of God remains, and it remains even when public oneness of action is virtually nonexistent.
A person may have a paralyzed limb, but the limb has not ceased to be part of the body. It doesn’t function properly in unity with the rest of the body.
No matter how great the ruin of the visible body of Christ—no matter how unhealthy and confused the state of things—Scripture never suggests the impossibility of walking in the fellowship of the Spirit, maintaining the truth of God. Rather, the Spirit presupposes evil, perilous days and commands us to endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit.” He commands nothing that is impossible.
Though we can never restore anything to its original condition, we can walk in obedience to the Word and in company with the Spirit who enables us to hold the Head.
While we are exhorted “to keep the unity of the Spirit,” we are not told to endeavor to keep the unity of the body. To do that would prevent us from separating from any member of the body of Christ, no matter what his practice.
The key to keeping “the unity of the Spirit” is to begin with myself. I must separate myself to Christ and from everything that is contrary to Him (2 Tim. 2:19). When I do this, I find myself in company with the Spirit and with all others who separate thus. It is with these that I am to follow “righteousness, faith, charity, peace” (2 Tim. 2:22).
A walk in entire separation to Christ, practical fellowship of the Spirit, and maintenance of the truth is the truest love that can be shown towards brethren who walk as “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit.”
Those who do seek to walk in truth and unity will display an earnest desire that their brethren may be won into the truth and fellowship of the Holy Spirit. And though but a feeble remnant, there will be displayed in each personal devotedness to the Lord.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psa. 133:1).
Words of Truth, Vol. 3 (adapted)
Ed. Note: Brother F. G. Patterson edited the periodical Words of Truth.